Flip flops, thong slippers and/or footwear with or without interchangeable center jewelry

ABSTRACT

Footwear can be configured to receive an interchangeable ornament. The footwear has a footwear strap, having a length, width, depth, front side and backside, mechanically coupled to footwear in three places. A single centrally located hole is bored through the depth. An ornamental member with a single centrally located coupler is displaced through the single centrally located hole. The single centrally located coupler has a first end directed toward the sole, but displaced from the sole. The ornamental member has a second end directed distant the sole. The ornamental member rests tangent to the first side. A connector with a mating coupler is configured to engage the coupler of the insert, detachably joining the ornamental member to the footwear strap. A counterbore is formed onto the connector and configured to lie flush with the backside.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/358,066 filed on Jan. 12, 2012 which, in turn, claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/462,020 filed on Jan. 27, 2011 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/574,194 filed on Jul. 29, 2011. The entirety of all of these applications are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

This application relates to a method and apparatus for decorating footwear and other clothing accessories.

Flip-out sandals are a product for sale that teaches a screw built into the strap. However, this product does not have center jewelry or removable female inserts. Flip-out sandals integrate the threaded female insert with the sandal strap, and do not explain how to make an entirely removable system in a comfortable manner.

SwitchFlops sandals are a product for sale that teaches a snap built into the strap. Again, this product does not have center jewelry or removable female inserts. Center jewelry provides for a larger number of combinations of ornaments that can be worn because a center article can join an unlimited number of jewelry styles to the decorated article.

SUMMARY

Footwear is configured to receive an interchangeable ornament. The footwear comprising a sole configured to accommodate a human foot. A footwear strap, having a length, width, depth, front side and backside, is mechanically coupled to the footwear in three places: a first side, a second side and a central location between the first side and the second strap. A single centrally located hole is bored through the depth. An ornamental member with a single centrally located coupler is displaced through the single centrally located hole. The single centrally located coupler has a first end directed toward the sole, but displaced from the sole. The ornamental member has a second end directed distant the sole. The ornamental member rests tangent to the first side. A connector with a mating coupler configured to engage the coupler of the insert, detachably joining the ornamental member to the footwear strap. A counterbore is formed onto the connector and configured to lie flush with the backside.

In some embodiments, the mating coupler is a male threaded member and the coupler is a female threaded member configured to receive the male threaded member in threaded engagement.

In some embodiments, the mating coupler is a male snap fastener and the coupler is a female snap fastener configured to receive the male threaded member in interlocking engagement.

In some embodiments, the mating coupler is a magnet and the coupler is an opposite pole magnet configured to receive the magnet in magnetic engagement

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1: is a forward perspective view of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 2: is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the invention exemplifying the method of attachment.

FIG. 3: is an exploded view of the second embodiment of invention exemplifying the method of attachment.

FIG. 4: is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the invention exemplifying the method of attachment.

FIG. 5: is an exploded view of the fourth embodiment of the invention exemplifying the method of attachment.

FIG. 6: is a detail rear perspective of the first embodiment of the invention illustrating an exemplary jewelry article only.

FIG. 7: is a detail perspective of the first embodiment of the invention illustrating an exemplary center jewelry article only.

FIG. 8: is a detail perspective of the first embodiment of the invention illustrating the threaded female couple only.

FIG. 9: is a detail rear perspective of the second embodiment of the invention illustrating the exemplary jewelry article only.

FIG. 10: is a detail section view of the first embodiment of the invention along line 10-10 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11: is a detail section view of the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12: is a detail section view of the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13: is a detail section view of the fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14: is a perspective of the fifth embodiment of the invention exemplifying the usage application concept.

FIG. 15: is a perspective of the sixth embodiment of the invention exemplifying the usage application concept.

FIG. 16: is a perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the invention exemplifying the usage application concept.

FIG. 17: is a detail rear perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention exemplifying the female snap insert only.

FIG. 18: a detail rear perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention exemplifying the magnet insert only.

FIG. 19: is a perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20: is a perspective view of the ninth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present system comprises footwear 24, which is well known. Footwear 24 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 through attachment object 26 in a manner that is well known. Footwear strap 38 is mechanically coupled to ornament 34 in a novel manner described in FIG. 6. Footwear 24 can be a wide variety of footwear including thong slippers, fuzzy slippers and sandals.

FIG. 2 shows first embodiment 10, which comprises footwear 24 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 through attachment object 26 as indicated above. Footwear strap 38 comprises hole 40 which can be made with a drill press, hole punch or other similar technique. Ornament 34 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 as shown in FIG. 10 below. Threaded female coupling 50 is described in more detail in FIG. 8 below.

FIG. 3 shows second embodiment 12 which comprises footwear 24 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 through attachment object 26 where footwear strap 38 further comprises hole 40 as indicated above. Here, ornament 34 further comprises holed ornament 54 which further comprises hole 44 which is shown in more detail in FIG. 9 below. Holed ornament 54 can be mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 by mechanically coupling threaded female couple 50 (detailed in FIG. 8) to threaded center article 36 (detailed in FIG. 7) as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 4 shows third embodiment 14 which comprises footwear 24 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 through attachment object 26 where footwear strap 38 further comprises hole 40 as indicated above. Here, ornament 34 further comprises holed ornament 54 which further comprises hole 44 which is shown in more detail in FIG. 9 below. Holed ornament 54 can be mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 by mechanically coupling female snap insert 62 (detailed in FIG. 17) to snap article 66 as shown in FIG. 12. Snap insert 62 is not permanently fixed to footwear strap 38 and can be removed. Snap article 66 comprises a first end which is ornamental and wider and a second end which contains a snap and is narrow.

FIG. 5 shows fourth embodiment 16 which comprises footwear 24 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 through attachment object 26 where footwear strap 38 further comprises hole 40 as indicated above. Here, ornament 34 further comprises holed ornament 54 which further comprises hole 44 which is shown in more detail in FIG. 9 below. Holed ornament 54 can be mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 by mechanically coupling magnet insert 64 (detailed in FIG. 18) to magnet center article 68 as shown in FIG. 13. Magnet insert 64 is not permanently fixed to footwear strap 38 and can be removed. Magnet article 68 comprises a first end which is ornamental and wider and a second end which contains a magnet and is narrow.

FIG. 6 shows part of first embodiment 10 where ornament 34 comprises shafted ornament 52 which further comprises shaft 42. Shaft 42 can be threaded with conventional threading technology such that it can be mechanically coupled to threaded female coupling 50 as shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 7 shows center article 36 which contains an ornamental portion large enough to completely cover hole 44 and a threaded portion long enough to pass through hole 44 and hole 40. The threaded portion is capable of being mechanically coupled with threaded female coupling 50 which is shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 shows threaded female coupling 50 which comprises a first end which is wider than a second end such that the first end is larger than hole 40 preventing a user from pulling threaded female coupling 50 through hole 40. Threaded female coupling 50 also comprises a second end which is a threaded fastener such that threaded female coupling 50 can be mechanically coupled with center article 36.

FIG. 9 shows ornament 34 as used in second embodiment 12, third embodiment 14 and fourth embodiment 16 that comprises holed ornament 54, which further comprises hole 44. Hole 44 is sufficiently large that it can receive the second end of center article 36, the second end of snap article 66 or the second end of magnet article 68 through hole 44 in its entirety. However, it is smaller than the second end of center article 36, the second end of snap article 66 or the second end of magnet article 68 such that center article 36, snap article 66 and magnet article 68, cannot be pulled through hole 44 as shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

FIG. 10 shows a section view of first embodiment 10 where attachment object 26 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38. Ornament 34 comprises shafted ornament 52, which further comprises shaft 42 where shaft 42 can be placed through hole 40 and mechanically coupled with footwear strap 38 by threaded female couple 50. Threaded female couple 50 is not permanently fixed to footwear strap 38 and can be removed.

In first embodiment 10, the manufactured article is footwear 24, the first attachment mechanism is shaft 42 which is mechanically coupled to shafted ornament 52, the joining mechanism is hole 40, and the second attachment mechanism is the threaded female couple 50. Here, the user could connect shafted ornament 52 to threaded female couple 50 by inserting shaft 42 into hole 40, turning shafted ornament 52 (and thus shaft 42) until the mechanical couple is complete.

FIG. 11 shows a section view of second embodiment 12 where attachment object 26 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38. Holed ornament 54 can be mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 by placing center article 36 through hole 44 and into hole 40 then coupling center article 34 with threaded female couple 50.

In second embodiment 12, the manufactured article is footwear 24, the first attachment mechanism is center article 36 which is mechanically coupled to holed ornament 54, the joining mechanism is hole 44 and hole 40, and the second attachment mechanism is threaded female couple 50. Here, the user could connect holed ornament 54 to footwear strap 38 by inserting center article 36 through hole 44 and through hole 40 into threaded female couple 50 and turning center article 36 until the mechanical couple is complete. In an alternate configuration, threaded female couple 50 can be combined with hole 40 into a single item as explained above in first embodiment 10.

FIG. 12 shows a section view of third embodiment 14 where attachment object 26 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38. Holed ornament 54 can be mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 by placing snap article 66 through hole 44 and into hole 40 then coupling snap article 66 with snap insert 62.

In third embodiment 14, the manufactured article is footwear 24, the first attachment mechanism is snap article 66 which is mechanically coupled to holed ornament 54, the joining mechanism is hole 44 and hole 40, and the second attachment mechanism is snap insert 62. Here, the user could connect holed ornament 54 to footwear strap 38 by inserting snap article 66 through hole 44 and through hole 40 into snap insert 62 and compressing snap article 66 until the mechanical couple is complete. In an alternate configuration, snap insert 62 can be combined with hole 40 into a single item as explained above in first embodiment 10.

FIG. 13 shows a section view of fourth embodiment 16 where attachment object 26 is mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38. Ornament 34 can be mechanically coupled to footwear strap 38 by placing magnet article 68 immediately adjacent to magnet insert 64 creating a single unit that can be removed by pulling magnet article 68 away from magnet 54.

In fourth embodiment 16, the manufactured article is footwear 24, the first attachment mechanism is magnet article 68 which is mechanically coupled to holed ornament 54, the joining mechanism is hole 44 and hole 40, and the second attachment mechanism is magnet insert 64. Here, the user could connect holed ornament 54 to footwear strap 38 by inserting magnet article 68 through hole 44 and through hole 40 into magnet insert 64 and compressing magnet article 68 until the mechanical couple is complete. In an alternate configuration, magnet insert 64 can be combined with hole 40 into a single item as explained above in first embodiment 10.

FIG. 14 shows fifth embodiment 18 which comprises glasses 28, which further comprises attachment object 26. Attachment object 26 can be mechanically coupled to ornament 34 using any of the methods outlined above. The manufactured article is glasses 28.

FIG. 15 shows sixth embodiment 20 which comprises wallet 30, which further comprises attachment object 26. Attachment object 26 can be mechanically coupled to ornament 34 using any of the methods outlined above. The manufactured article is wallet 30.

FIG. 16 shows seventh embodiment 22 which comprises purse 32, which further comprises attachment object 26. Attachment object 26 can be mechanically coupled to ornament 34 using any of the methods outlined above. The manufactured article is purse 32.

FIG. 17 shows a portion of the third embodiment 14 comprising snap insert 62. Snap insert 62 further comprises a first wide end and a second narrow end. The second narrow end is sufficiently narrow to fit through hole 40 as shown in FIG. 12. The first wide end is sufficiently large to avoid being pushed through hole 40, however it rests flush to strap 38 in a manner which is comfortable to the user.

FIG. 18 shows a portion of fourth embodiment 16 comprising magnet insert 64. Magnet insert 64 further comprises a first wide end and a second narrow end. The second narrow end is sufficiently narrow to fit through hole 40 as shown in FIG. 13. The first wide end is sufficiently large to avoid being pushed through hole 40, however it rests flush to strap 38 in a manner which is comfortable to the user.

FIG. 19 shows eighth embodiment 76 where ornament 34 comprises snap ornament 72 which further comprises snap 46. Snap 46 can be placed through hole 40 and mechanically coupled with footwear strap 38 by snap insert 62 in a manner similar to FIG. 10 above.

FIG. 20 shows ninth embodiment 78 where ornament 34 comprises magnet ornament 74 which further comprises magnet 48. Magnet 48 can be placed through hole 40 and mechanically coupled with footwear strap 38 by magnet insert 64 in a manner similar to FIG. 10 above.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Footwear, configured to receive an interchangeable ornament; the footwear comprising: a sole configured to accommodate a human foot; a footwear strap, having a length, width, depth, front side and backside, mechanically coupled to the footwear in three places: a first side, a second side and a central location between the first side and the second strap; a single centrally located hole bore through the depth; an ornamental member with a single centrally located coupler displaced through the single centrally located hole; wherein the single centrally located coupler has a first end directed toward the sole, but displaced from the sole; wherein the ornamental member has a second end directed distant the sole; wherein the ornamental member rests tangent to the first side; a connector with a mating coupler configured to engage the coupler of the insert, detachably joining the ornamental member to the footwear strap; a counterbore, formed onto the connector and configured to lie flush with the backside.
 2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein: the mating coupler is a male threaded member and the coupler is a female threaded member configured to receive the male threaded member in threaded engagement.
 3. The footwear of claim 1, wherein: the mating coupler is a male snap fastener and the coupler is a female snap fastener configured to receive the male threaded member in interlocking engagement. The footwear of claim 1, wherein: the mating coupler is a magnet and the coupler is an opposite pole magnet configured to receive the magnet in magnetic engagement. 